Top 6 Culprits of Loose Dental Crowns You Should Be Aware Of

When you need to repair decayed or otherwise damaged teeth, dental crowns are one of the most effective solutions that your dental specialist can recommend. Also called caps, crowns serve as protective covers that safeguard your teeth from food residue, bacteria, and dental plaque accumulated in your mouth. 

After undergoing dental treatment, it can be upsetting to notice that your crown has loosened or is on the verge of falling out. It can also result in some pain because a loose dental crown leaves your tooth susceptible to food residue and the temperatures of the foods and drinks you consume can affect it. If a loose crown is unbearably painful, it can be considered a dental emergency. So, why do dental crowns get loosened in the first place? 

Read on to discover the six most common culprits of loose crowns and how they can be fixed. 

1. Dental caries
Crowns are immune to dental caries because they’re typically manufactured from materials resistant to acids from various beverages and foods. However, the same cannot be said for the teeth they cover. Dental caries typically develop in the gums near the areas where crowns connect to teeth. Once caries and resulting cavities are treated, your dental specialist may recommend saving or replacing the crown with a new one.  

2. Consuming too many sticky foods
In general, those with false or replaced teeth should limit their consumption of foods like caramels, toffees, and dried fruits. That’s because the frequent intake of sticky sweets can result in a loose crown. If you eat those daily, you may even put your crown at risk of falling out. Your dental specialist can anchor crowns loosened by sticky foods in place using special dental glue.  

3. Dental glue deterioration
While dental crowns are made of tough, long-lasting materials, the dental glue used to hold them in place can only last so much. Over time, this glue can deteriorate to the point of becoming loose or even coming off. Luckily, your dental specialist can solve this problem easily by gluing the crown back in position. 

4. Weakening of tooth structure
Crowns are often used to safeguard teeth with a damaged structure resulting from an injury or dental caries. Besides, your dental specialist needs to shave off some part of the damaged tooth to prepare it for the crown. If your tooth wears down any further after getting covered with a crown, even the best porcelain crown can eventually become loose. 

5. A cracked or otherwise damaged crown
While crowns are composed of durable substances, they’re not as strong as your real teeth. Your dental enamel is the most durable part of your whole body. Poor habits like using teeth as tools or chewing on hard items can eventually result in a cracked dental crown. If you experience nighttime bruxism, consider wearing a mouthguard while sleeping to decrease the pressure and stress this problem puts on your teeth. 

6. Poor fit or construction
If your crown is worn for less than a few years and it already starts to feel loose, it was probably designed with a poor fit. If your crown doesn’t fit properly, the regular stress and pressure from daily movements like chewing and biting can cause it to eventually become loose. Apart from that, the crowned tooth can be too short or lack the adequate structure to properly support the restoration. Crowns require a good amount of tooth structure to be firmly anchored in place. 

The bottom line
If your crown has started to feel loose and cause you discomfort, consider scheduling an appointment with your dental specialist to determine the precise cause of this problem. In some cases, anchoring the crown back in place with some dental glue may be enough. However, if the crown is severely damaged, your specialist may recommend you to replace it with a more durable porcelain one.